DOUG RAMSAY / FOR THE HERALD Marysville Pilchuck guard Josiah Gould drives the baseline past Ferndale’s Dane Larsen during a 3A District 1 playoff game on Friday in Marysville.

DOUG RAMSAY / FOR THE HERALD Marysville Pilchuck guard Josiah Gould drives the baseline past Ferndale’s Dane Larsen during a 3A District 1 playoff game on Friday in Marysville.

Ferndale pulls away late to beat Marysville Pilchuck 71-56

MARYSVILLE — Ferndale’s bus was running a little late on its way to the Golden Eagles’ 3A District 1 playoff opener at Marysville Pilchuck.

After Ferndale turned up, its offense took a little while to arrive against the Tomahawks.

But the Golden Eagles got things rolling in the second quarter and pulled away late in a 71-56 win over the Tomahawks at Marysville Pilchuck High School Friday night.

Ferndale will play Edmonds-Woodway in a 3A District 1 semifinal at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at Jackson High School. Marysville Pilchuck hosts Shorewood in a loser-out game Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“It was a really interesting game,” Tomahawks head coach Bary Gould said. “I felt like the shots that we’ve been hitting lately, we didn’t. Part of being a good basketball player is being able to bounce back and be resilient and I felt like some things that normally go our way in games weren’t.”

Marysville Pilchuck previously defeated Ferndale 62-61 on Dec. 28 for its first win of the season after starting the year 0-6.

“I think we just had it in our minds that we’re just going to come in and beat them and that wasn’t happening,” Gould said. “No matter how many times you say it as a coach — ‘we can’t underestimate them; we can’t look past anyone’ — we felt like while we weren’t very good early on in the season we were able to beat them. We’ve gotten better and, obviously, they’ve gotten better as well.”

Ferndale starting guards Sky Freeman and Riley Hunt missed the first contest against the Tomahawks. The duo combined for 16 points in the rematch.

“That made a big difference,” said Jason Owens, Ferndale’s first-year head coach. “So, (Marysville Pilchuck) didn’t know what they brought to the table.”

Ferndale struggled in the first quarter, putting up just five points. The Golden Eagles had the score tied at 30 by halftime and opened the second half with an 11-3 run.

Marysville Pilchuck countered with an 8-2 run of its own and trailed by two heading into the final period.

But Ferndale, which struggled at the free-throw line early in the game — and throughout the season, according to Owens — made 15 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter to close out the win.

Ferndale’s size posed a problem for Marysville Pilchuck. All but one of the 12 players listed on the roster is taller than 6-feet, including 6-foot-4 senior forward Austin Honeycutt, who led the Golden Eagles with 26 points and eight rebounds.

Dane Larsen scored 10 points for Ferndale and John Weg added six points and 14 rebounds.

“They do have size. Even their guards are big,” Gould said. “They’re tough to guard.”

Ferndale, 13-8 in the Northwest Conference this year, relishes the role of being unknown in the district playoffs. As the lone 3A team in the NWC, the Golden Eagles travel down to compete with Wesco teams in the district playoffs.

“It’s an advantage because these guys play each other all the time — they don’t see us live,” Owens said. “They see tape, but that’s different. Obviously, the disadvantage is that we don’t get to see them either. People can agree or disagree, but the Northwest Conference is tough. There are five teams in the top 10 in their (classification). It’s tough, but we love the competition.”

Josh Bevan led Marysville Pilchuck (9-11) with 16 points. Hunter Whitney finished with 14 and fellow senior Nate Heckendorf scored six of his nine points early in the fourth quarter and added 13 rebounds in the game.

“He’ll be huge for us. Nate is a catalyst for our success,” Gould said. “He’s definitely a role player that can do some really great things.”

Added Owens: “That kid is tough.”

Owens said he was incredibly impressed with the way the Tomahawks have bounced back after a tough start to the season.

“They started 0-6. I said to Bary, ‘That is amazing, of you as a coach, to keep their heads up, to keep them focused, to keep them excited,’” Owens said. “And they’ve won seven of the last nine. That just says a lot about what he’s created here, the confidence he’s created and what he’s trying to do from a family perspective. I’m trying to do the same thing.”

At Marysville Pilchuck H.S.

Ferndale 5 25 17 24 —71

M. Pilchuck 13 17 15 11 —56

Ferndale—Sky Freeman 9, Garett Holmes 9, Kyler Lagerway 0, John Weg 6, Riley Hunt 7, Jackson King 2, Austin Honeycutt 26, Dane Larsen 10, Carson Genger 2. Marysville Pilchuck—Hunter Whitney 14, Josiah Gould 5, Josh Bevan 16, Tommy Haefele 0, Erik Lind 2, RaeQuan Battle 2, Freddy Brown 8, Tyler McDonald 0, Nate Heckendorf 9, Isaiah Valera 0. Records—Ferndale 13-8 overall. Marysville Pilchuck 9-11.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.